I wrote this poem on the morning I found out that our beloved pastor, David George, was battling pancreatic cancer that would claim his life the very next day. One can hardly imagine receiving terminal cancer news from your doctor, then being taken so quickly. We are forced to praise God for His timing, His promises, and His eternal promise that when we are absent from the body, we will be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).

[Tweet “We are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” 2 Cor. 5:8″]

I have many journals with many notes from sermons Pastor David preached to us over the last 14 years. Here are a few quotes:

“We simply can’t do it without God–we partner with him and he uses us. We are co-laborers together.”

“We need to view life not as a consumer, but as a contributor. What can I give?”

“Sometimes, right in the midst of our call, it’s filled with challenge and pain. But God is there with us in the midst.”

[These quotes were in my notes from David’s sermon called, “Fabric of Faithfulness,” September 21, 2008]

How can you and I have a kingdom-minded vision as we pursue this life, this journey we’re on together? Each of us has a specific vision, or call, that God has placed on our lives.